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Dallas Cowboys Release Qb Joe Milton

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 22: Joe Milton III #10 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts to a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys have released quarterback Joe Milton.

Source: Cowboys are releasing QB Joe Milton.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2026

The move comes as a pretty big surprise given the events of training camp and specifically the preseason. It seemed like Milton was a lock to be Dak Prescott’s primary backup this season, but even if you disagreed with that the idea of him not making the roster at all seemed a bit farfetched.

Again, Milton played extremely well over the course of the preseason. He led the NFC in third-down passing across the exhibition period at large. This isn’t anything to really write home about given that it was the preseason, but you get the point that Milton played well in the opportunities that he had.

Milton obviously made the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster when it was released on Sunday, and it isn’t uncommon for players who do so to be cut after the fact. Maybe the Cowboys feel like he can clear waivers and specifically chose to execute this move now so that other teams already got their claims in and finalized things. Gamesmanship is always at play.

What do you think? Any other theories?